Warren ponders plan to manage growth

LEBANON - The commissioners in Ohio's second-fastest growing county met with county and township officials for two hours this week to discuss tools for managing growth.

Warren County gains 6,000 to 7,000 new residents each year.

So far, possible controls include a moratorium on residential development, a limit on the number of sewer system taps available each year and long-debated impact fees to pay for growth - but counties are not authorized to implement such fees.

Harlan and Hamilton township officials said they would support impact fees but are less enthusiastic about a moratorium.

Officials will meet again to discuss growth at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Boehner staff available today

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Staff members for U.S. Rep. John Boehner, R-West Chester Township, will conduct a series of open-door meetings today in Butler County.

Any resident of Ohio's 8th District can attend the sessions "to discuss problems or opinions they have with regard to the federal government," said Steve Forde, Boehner's press secretary.

Meetings are:

• 9 a.m., West Chester Township chambers, 9100 Centre Pointe Drive

• 10 a.m., Liberty Township building, 6400 Princeton Road

• 11 a.m., Monroe municipal building, 233 S. Main St.

• Noon, Middletown Senior Center, 140 N. Verity Parkway

• Noon and 3 p.m., Fairfield Township building, 6032 Morris Road

Information: (800) 582-1001.

Symmes joins renamed chamber of commerce

SYMMES TWP. - A recent change in the logo of the former Mason Landen Kings Chamber of Commerce was enough to persuade Symmes to join the organization.

Symmes trustees, who wanted the benefits of the chamber's seminars, promotions, staff support and pooled insurance plan, said in February that they wouldn't join the chamber unless the township was also named in the logo.

Instead, the chamber changed its name to Northeast Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.

"We felt it was inclusive enough to join," Trustee Kathy Wagner said.

Chamber membership will cost the township $250 and $5 per employee.

Walk to benefit children in Haiti

MIAMI TWP. - Hope for Haiti's Children, a ministry of Northeast Church of Christ in Sycamore Township, will sponsor a five-mile walk 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday at Miami Meadows Park, off Ohio 131 in Clermont County. Registration is at 9 a.m.

Sign-up packets and sponsor information are available by calling 489-7999. All proceeds will be used to feed, clothe and educate Haitian children.

The nonprofit organization recently built an orphanage in Port-au-Prince.

Recreation director search begins

MIAMI TOWNSHIP - This Clermont County township is conducting a national search for a new recreation director.

Beth Salazar, who led the recreation program for two years, resigned last week to take a similar position in El Paso, Texas, to be closer to family.

The program organizes fitness classes, arts and crafts programs, and children's camps.

Buy a wall tile for community center

MOUNT WASHINGTON - Ceramic tiles for an inside wall at the new Mount Washington community center are available for purchase.

The tiles, $50 each, are tax-deductible and can be inscribed.

Money raised will be used to buy equipment and pay for programs at the new center, which should open in 2005.

Details: (513) 232-4762.